China Open Premier Super Series: Chen Long tames Hans Kristian Vittinghus at the top-16 stage
China’s in-form shuttler Chen Long continues his winning streak as he has thrashed Denmark’s Hans Kristian Vittinghus in the Men’s Singles round-of-16 battle in the 2011 Li Ning China Open Premier Super Series, in Shanghai, on Thursday, November 24.
Long, the World Number Three and second seed in the Men’s Singles draw of China Open, proved his worth again as he defeated the talented Danish rival in straight games. He took 50 minutes to make his mark over Vittinghus and have secured his place in the
quarter-final of the event.
Long had to work hard in the opening game as he employed all skills to win the set with a close margin. However, in the second game, the higher ranked Chinese played well and remained ahead of his opponent to take the game with a decent margin.
The first game was quite thrilling when both shuttlers played aggressive game and the score reached at 8-8. At this stage, the Danish shuttlers started to dominate the game and remained ahead of the Chinese throughout the game until the concluding phase.
The Danish reached at 20-15 to have five match points but failed to finish the game. The Chinese lifted it up his speed and came from behind to take the set after scoring seven consecutive points in a row. He finished up the game with a margin of 22-20.
In the following set of the match, the start was quite interesting when both shuttlers put up tremendous show of top class game and reached at 6-6. Long started to play with power by hitting the bird hard from all areas of the court and reached at 11-7 until
the break.
After the break, the Chinese continued his roller-coaster run in the second set by playing at his maximum speed. Vittinghus tried to reduce the difference but failed as the Chinese was flawless in his shot selection and execution. Long finished the second
set with a margin of 21-16. The overall score of this straight-set Men’s Singles fight was 22-20 and 21-16.
Long will play against team-mate Chen Jin in the Men’s Singles quarter-final.
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